Melting icecaps linked to global climate change have set off a race
among nations to transit until-now uncertain shipping routes and develop
the region's abundant resources. New sea passages linking Asia to
America and Europe will be as revolutionary as the opening of the Panama
and Suez canals, creating opportunities as well as challenges for the
international community.

The United States recently announced a national strategy for the Arctic
region, setting priorities intended to position our nation to respond to
the emerging opportunities while at the same time pursuing efforts to
protect and conserve this unique environment.

The U.S. Sets Priorities For Arctic Region

Building on current policies in national and foreign affairs, the Arctic
Strategy will advance U.S. security interests, responsibly manage the
region's ecosystem and strengthen international cooperation. This will
be achieved in a manner that safeguards peace and stability in the
region, uses the best available scientific information in
decision-making and underscores the importance of consulting and
coordinating with the Arctic's indigenous peoples.

An
important vehicle for helping realize these aims is the Arctic Council.
Set up in 1996, the group brings together eight Arctic nations to
coordinate their policies in the region: the United States, Canada,
Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Norway, and Russia. Several other
nations with interests in the Arctic region such as France and the
United Kingdom, as well as certain inter-governmental and
non-governmental organizations, have observer status in the Council and
take part in some of its discussions, but do not vote on its actions or
policies.

At a recent Council meeting in Kiruna, Sweden, the Council granted
observer status to six more countries, including China, India, Italy,
Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore. With U.S. Secretary of
State John Kerry in attendance, Arctic Council members also signed a
treaty to protect the region from marine oil spill pollution.

The United States has broad interests in the Arctic, ranging from
commerce and energy development, to national security, to environmental
stewardship and scientific research. But we also recognize that
addressing them is best done in close cooperation with our regional and
international partners.